Franklin County approves 50‑year airport management agreement with University of the South

Franklin County commissioners voted to approve an Airport Management Agreement granting The University of the South authority to manage the Sewanee–Franklin County Airport (FAA identifier UOS). Commissioner Greg King moved the resolution; Commissioner Johnny Hughes seconded. The roll-call vote was 15 ayes and 1 nay (Commissioner Adam Casey opposed). The approved resolution (8e-0822) and packet materials were entered into the record at the Aug. 1 special session.

A written summary and the agreement text in the meeting packet list key provisions: a 50‑year term with required compliance review every 10 years; the University will administer and operate airport facilities in compliance with applicable FAA and state grant-assurance obligations; the University will provide annual single-audit reporting for the Airport and regular reporting to the county; and the county retains its role as sponsor and remains responsible for decisions about runway length and avigation-easement acquisition. The summary also notes that if the county later establishes an Airport Authority, financial responsibility for the Airport would transfer to the county and relieve the University of indemnity for grant-related liabilities.

The minutes show a separate TDOT maintenance agreement and a related TAD grant for "Avigation Easement Acquisition—Phase 1" in the packet. The TAD paperwork in the record includes a $36,000 professional-fee line item and a subsequent close-out request filed by the county reporting $35,480.64 in expenditures and $519.36 remaining on that grant. Commissioner Adam Casey is recorded as opposing the airport agreement on the grounds of its proposed duration.